Erykah Badu: Worldwide Underground (Colored Vinyl) Vinyl LP

Erykah Badu‘s 3rd album from 2003, reissued for the first time ever, on purple colored wax! This one sees Badu exerting more creative control over her sound, with a stable of talented co-producers including Raphael Saadiq, James Poyser, Dead Prez and others. Includes the singles “Danger,” “Back In The Day” and killer album cut “Bump It” (note: does not include bonus track “Love Of My Life” feat. Common!). OG Lab review:

Erykah’s new album is so good, we thought it might be a good time to revisit this overlooked gem from 2003. At the time, people weren’t as receptive to breezy 8-minute neo soul jams, but now it’s sounding like Mz. Badu was ahead of the curve and this one’s sounding like a future classic. The opener “Bump It” sounds like floating on a cloud, while lone single “Danger” turns more intense and serious; “Back In The Day” interpolates Flight’s “Face To Face,” and “Love of My Life Worldwide” has Erykah, Angie Stone and Bahamadia paying tribute to Sequence’s “Funk You Right On Up.” Also features “Steady On The Grind” with dead prez. Note: back of the jacket is misprinted – go by the center label on this one. 10 tracks total.

• 3rd studio album originally released in 2003
• purple colored vinyl
• limited edition
• music label: Motown2022

reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red 03/2008